Stitch and bitch thread #10. There’s a pattern here

[NutellaEllaElla]

Time for a new thread as the weather starts to turn.
Welcome back oldies and come on in newbies!

@Brefugee
@PickAChew
@BlackAmericanoNoSugar
@Bookbook
@Allthegoodnamestakken
@SewingBees
@Twobluechickens
@kittykarate
@Jins
@Chewbecca
@CrimsonAlligator
@InMySpareTime
@MeAgainAndAgain
@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
@Rosenspants
@OperationalSupport
@Twobluechickens
@Frumpyunicorn
@Hiddendoor
@PrincessofWells
@Isabelle70
@Daffyyellow
@Sewliketosew
@Lifesingflowers
@123ZYX
@Faffadoodledo
@MorriganManor
@GnomeDePlume
@Isabelle70
@DiggoryVenn
@Wilma55
@ZebraD
@Frankincenseandoranges
@Catnipcupcakes
@Tinuviel
@Karatema
@Nameohnameohname
@Outandabout43
@Thesugarbumfairy
@DuchessNope
@ShoAndSew
@Notthatcatagain
@Spaceman101
@Karatema
@Twwodoorsaway

Brilliant, thank you @PickAChew ! That’s helped me make up my mind. I love cord trousers and was wondering if that thickness of fabric would work in the Pietra. Looks like it does!

@YellowAsteroid i have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with Minerva. They have a phenomenal amount of choice, but I don’t think they are priced very competitively. I’ve had some lovely fabrics from them and I like that most of them have examples of what the fabric looks like when it’s made into a garment.

What I don’t like about them is how long it takes them to deliver things. Call me impatient, but if I order something on Monday, I kind of expect it to arrive by the end of the week…The colours on the website are also not always accurate, which obviously could be down to differences in monitors, but…they’re also pretty bad at labelling them! I ordered some canvas recently, which was described as “ocean”, but when it arrived it was a very definite bottle green. I’ve had “teal” fabric that turned out to be light blue grey etc etc. That really winds me up!!!

@ChoccyJules I’ve made the Style Arc Petra and it’s one of my favourite things, I get lots of compliments. Be warned that the instructions are sparse (as with all SA patterns) and a couple of bits had me scratching my head. Photo of mine (I raised the lapel bits up a bit because I preferred that look). I added a couple of inches to the sleeves but didn’t need to as it turns out!

Second pic to show the binding I did (was very pleased with how this turned out!)

@twobluechickens That’s lovely! I shall be noting your name for SOS moments 😉
@CrimsonAlligator Oh dear I shall hopefully be sent something vaguely resembling the colour I wanted from Minerva, it’s quite a statement colour for me to choose and I need it to suit me 😕

@ChoccyJules I’ve learnt to always check what the matching thread colour is on the Minerva website, so at least last week’s “ocean” fabric wasn’t a complete surprise. The matching thread was clearly green!

That’s lovely @twobluechickens 😍

Thanks both and let me know if you get stuck @ChoccyJules !

@CrimsonAlligator I did actually notice the matching thread looked darker than the fabric…but if the fabric turns out to be that colour it may be a blessing depending how ‘out there’ I want to look! The fabric I have bought has the same stock photo on every site I have found it on, so it’s a bit of a gamble. Not excessively pricey for a coat though.

Beautiful binding!

Lovely binding, @twobluechickens
I divided the pattern pieces for the pocket bags to create a lining in a lighter fabric without pile, @CrimsonAlligator and didn't attempt to stitch through the elastic at the back. I'm glad I didn't because I've lost a little bit of weight and a lot of bloat since making them and might need to tighten them up a bit. This particular cord is quite a soft one but some is a lot more rigid and probably wouldn't work.

Beautiful binding. I do love a bit of binding. Secret luxury.

My neighbour was getting rid of a 5x5 kallax so I’ve claimed it and am currently sorting my craft stuff into it. My fabric stash doesn’t look as intimidating now.

There's about a third of it empty so plenty of space for me to manage the mess

That looks far too empty, @Jins 😂

My first time doing lining - thanks to @YellowAsteroid I have something wearable! Just a few buttons to finish.

ooo, I like the yellow lining against the grey fabric!

Love the yellow lining!

The lining is a great contrast 👍🏻

And the cheeky top button, fab!

Nice contrast lining @Mygreyhair!

Lots of empty space there @jins…..time to get some more fabric?! 😉

I’ve been working on my Mitchell trousers and also planned out my next sewing projects. It ended up being a rather long list and as I already have fabric for nearly all of those, I’ve decided to implement a fabric & pattern buying ban for the next few months. We’ll see how long that lasts!

I’m actually quite surprised by the amount of empty space, I thought I’d be cramming lengths of fabric into gaps. 🤣.

I must recommend these storage boxes for stash management. I bought a couple for my wardrobe years ago and when I discovered that they fit the kallax unit I bought another 6. I found a code for 20% off as well.

My next project is far more boring than all the lovely projects you’re all working on as I’m making a couple of T shirts.

that looks amazing, absolutely love that bright lining and top button.

My coat fabric is here from Minerva, it’s darker than the photo as expected from the matching thread, but I don’t mind it, it’s like a dark brick. I was looking for burnt orange. It’s called Sienna so can see why it’s that colour, clearly the stock photo is poor.

It’s apparently the thicker and warmer of the two they offer, good job as it’s also not as chunky as I expected. Probably going to be an Autumn rather than a deepest Winter coat! Not worth the hassle of sending it back given they’ve cut it, I expect there would be all kinds of small print!

I will take all photos and descriptions with a pinch of salt from now on. My local indie is just SO pricey for fabric, that’s why I can’t always afford to go and look in person.

Online fabric shopping has its challenges @ChoccyJules. I feel your pain! Minerva do do samples, but with their long delivery times you’d need to be either patient or well organised to make that work! Plus their samples are not free, so -for me- only worth it for their more expensive fabrics.

There are loads of other online retailers that are worth having a look at - Dalston Mill, Croftmill, Guthrie and Ghani are some that I’ve personally had good experiences with.

In other news, I finished my Mitchell trousers. They photograph terribly, but look pretty good in real life. I followed @YellowAsteroid‘s advice to interline and also bought a tailor’s clapper to help with pressing. It’s magic when working with wool fabrics 😊

Has anyone used the Gertie patterns? I saw an amazing shirt dress on Insta. But I can't find where u buy the patterns?

@toyotatallula she sells them through her Charm Patterns website. Some of them are subscription only but I think you can buy a month’s worth and download what you want (depending on level of subscription).

https://charmpatterns.com/

@CrimsonAlligator they look fabulous!

Ooo a tailor’s clapper @CrimsonAlligator ? That sounds like something I should look at.

I have more fabric than I can ever sew and a book case full of patterns - but not much extra equipment. Where did you get yours? I’m thinking I need one of those tailor’s hams too. And if only I could get a marker pen that is sharp and accurate but washes or brushes out …

Any sage advice from you all on haberdashery? Your wouldn’t-be-without tools?